When My Shift Ends | ?

twenty-eight | first draft

When the doors open, he makes his way out of the elevator and down the hall. Brandon gave him instructions and times, though Cooper said he wanted this meeting to be made alone. With a nervous breath, he pushes open a door to reveal Willa sat in a comfortable seat and reading away at a magazine. Her eyes shoot up just as he enters the room, a smile lighting up her face.

"Hello, Cooper Clarke," she says, setting her magazine down on her lap. "Boy, am I happy to see your smiling face again."

He has to hold back the overwhelming urge to cry as memories of burying her dead body resurface. Even in his dream, he knew she was special. He just didn't know how close he'd been to the woman until he woke up from his surgery. He walks over to her, wrapping his arms around her in a hug but being careful to not hit any of the important IVs around her.

"Oh, wow," she says with a laugh as he pulls back from the hug, taking a seat in the chair next to hers. "You look well."

He smiles, his eyes studying her features to be sure she's real and not just a figment of his imagination. "I missed you, Willa."

"Good. I'd be offended if you hadn't." She pauses, adjusting slightly in her seat. "So how was the surgery? Everything went well?"

"Yeah. It went well." He lifts his shirt up to reveal his scar, looking down to view it himself. "I have this nice battle scar."

"Cooper Clarke, put that shirt down. Don't tempt me, you know I'm much too old for you." She shoots him a playful wink. "Besides, my granddaughter would be quite upset with me if you and I ended up together."

He laughs, his gaze leaving hers to scan over the room. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath but as the thought of seeing Ellie again sinks in, he's become fully aware of his unsteady breathing. Willa places a gentle hand on his, earning his attention once more. "She's just down the hall. Go find her, I'll be here when you get back."

He nods, gulping as he pushes himself up from his seat. He stands still for a moment before turning back to Willa. "It's really good to see you again."

"You too, honey." A warm smile pulls at her lips. "Now, go on."

He wastes no more time, taking off down the hall in search of Ellie. A worry that he may not recognize her begins to creep in, realizing that his dream may have fabricated how she looked, making her unrecognizable in reality. But when his eyes finally do land on her, his worries fade in an instant.

As if sensing his gaze, she looks up, a shocked expression making its way onto her face before it's fading and she's quickly making her way towards him. A blush sneaks onto his cheeks and his hands hang awkwardly by his sides, nervous thoughts dancing around in his mind. As he's in the midst of considering how to greet her, her arms wrap around his neck, pulling him in for a tight hug.

"I've missed you so much," she whispers, her grip loosening slightly so she can pull back and look at him. As her eyes search his stunned face, she drops her arms completely, clearing her throat. "I mean, I'm really happy to see you again."

"I've missed you too," he says, an easy smile forming on his lips. His eyes search her face, relief crashing in as she looks exactly how he remembered her, giving him hope that she is exactly how he remembers her.

"I have to admit, I was a little worried when you didn't reach out to me after the surgery." She laughs nervously, dropping her gaze briefly before returning it to his. "I thought maybe you'd forgotten about me."

"Trust me, just the opposite."

A red tint takes over her cheeks. "So you're better then? The surgery was a success?"

"Yeah." He nods, another smile gracing his lips. "All better."

"Good. I'm glad." She looks away shyly and Cooper notices her foot tapping up and down, a clear sign to how nervous she feels.

"Hey, El?"

Her leg stops bouncing, her eyes widening a fraction at the nickname before returning to a normal size. "Yeah?"

"Do you like coffee?"

Her lips tug upwards. "You know I love coffee."

"Right." He laughs, biting down on his bottom lip to cover up his embarrassment. "Do you maybe want to grab a coffee with me?"

"You hate coffee."

"But you don't."

She stares back at him, her eyes lighting up as their gazes meet. Any nerves Cooper felt fade away in that moment, sure that Ellie is exactly who he thought she was. Sure that she's still the girl he fell in love with. But now, they have a shot at a life together.

"Okay." She smiles sweetly. "We can go when my shift ends."

"What time is that?"

She looks down to the watch on her wrist, eyes squinting as she reads it. "Thirty minutes. Does that work?"

Joy bubbles up inside of Cooper as the reality of the situation sets in. He was just saying his goodbyes, ready to leave everyone he loved behind. But instead of goodbyes, his life is now full of new beginnings. A fresh new mindset, and a new love and appreciation for the simplest thing life has to offer, a beating heart. His life will no longer be wasted, instead it will be lived to its fullest extent. With a content smile on his lips, he nods, his eyes staying trained on his first new beginning.

"When your shift ends. It's a date."